Australia’s Stenson wins women’s marathon at CWG 2022

AgenciesBirmingham (UK)At the third time of asking, Australia’s Jess Stenson has won the women’s marathon at the Commonwealth Games (CWG 2022) following a brilliant run in Birmingham on Saturday.The victory capped off a remarkable return for the 34-year-old, who had a child in 2019 and then missed out on the Tokyo Olympics due to a bone stress injury.Stenson was in a lead group of three and then broke clear inside the final 10 kilometres, going on to claim her maiden gold in the event with a time of 2:27.31.Stenson was one of three Australians in the race along with Eloise Wellings and Sinead Diver.At the 30 kilometre mark, Wellings and Diver — along with most of the field — dropped off the pace, but Stenson remained strong with the frontrunners Helalia Johannes from Namibia and Kenyan Margaret Wangari Muriuki.Heading into the final 20 minutes of the run, Stenson kicked and dropped Johannes, and then Muriuki, to go clear on her own at the front.And she held on to cross the line amid emotional scenes, finishing 29 seconds ahead of Muriuki and 1min 8secs ahead of Johannes.As Wellings and Diver arrived at the line, the trio of Australians embraced as tears flowed.Channel 7 commentator Bruce McAvaney described Stenson’s celebrations with her teammates as "iconic scenes”.Stenson won bronze in the marathon at Glasgow 2014 and at Gold Coast 2018 before becoming a mother for the first time in 2019.She then returned to the sport in 2020 and attempted to qualify for the Tokyo Games at the last minute, but was cruelled by a bone stress injury.Even Stenson’s Commonwealth Games preparation was hampered by contracting Covid-19 just weeks out from the event.Former Olympian and commentator Dave Culbert said on Channel 7 as Stenson neared the finish line: "This will be one of the great sites in Australian athletics.”Speaking after the race, Stenson said: "When we got Covid, our medical crew just got on to me straight away and said, "be calm, people get through this. Be conservative, take a few days of rest’, said this isn’t going to affect you at all."That made a huge difference. My coach Adam was really calm throughout it all. I think his composure in this prep was really important and I have to give a big shout out to my family.”She added: "To all of the mums out there, just dream big and thanks for all your support and thanks to the mums before me who have shown this is possible.” (Courtesy: Fox Sports)